It was a low murmur, almost like a soliloquy.
But not to a martial arts master. They possessed a sensory pathway far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
The new Radiant Demon Squad's leader was no exception. If one were a black-clad junior of the Sacred Blood Demon, they would certainly hear it.
Indeed, that was the case.
"My apologies, Senior Jin."
A calm voice reverberated with inner energy, making a hum. Jin Myeongjo's pale face turned even whiter.
It felt as if a distant junior were speaking right next to his ear. The voice was clear and vivid.
A little beyond that, it could even reach the level of the rarely seen Six Harmonies Transmission, where an amplified voice would echo in all directions through internal energy.
This was not something achievable with just any level of refined energy. It proved the depth of one's cultivation, demonstrating an astonishing mastery of inner techniques beyond mere accumulated energy.
Jin Myeongjo's lips twitched.
"Urgh..."
The voice carried a wave of internal energy. It was imbued with a tremendous aura of mystical force.
The new Radiant Demon Squad's leader stood with the fading dawn behind him. His loose robe flapped as he stepped, creating invisible ripples with each step.
The energy, so palpable to Jin Myeongjo, seemed to be within his grasp.
"Damn it."
Hoo—
He quickly inhaled. He needed to protect his body with an inner technique to resist the oppressive sensation from the energy waves.
By the time his breath had cycled through his lungs several times, a dark silhouette descended before his eyes. The new Radiant Demon Squad's leader, with long robes billowing behind him, had arrived.
His footsteps were effortless, showing signs of advanced mastery in movement techniques akin to the nobility's style. His cultivation had deepened compared to when he had left the main base.
'What a monstrous fellow.'
Jin Myeongjo thought, exerting strength in his eyes.
He had been drawing a line with his gaze since just before facing the new Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
With a composed expression, he exuded the aura of a mysterious yet steadfast senior. His noble and elegant demeanor suited his refined power.
He tilted his head slightly, as if nobility were meeting nobility.
"The Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader is staying at Linzubu."
He spoke before the junior could come any closer. A carefully calculated move.
The junior, Lightning Genius's eyes narrowed slightly. Though Jin Myeongjo flinched internally, he quickly realized that Lightning Genius' attention was now fixed on the Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader.
The brief relief he felt was substantial, and he secretly exhaled.
Then, the Radiant Demon Squad's leader spoke.
"Linzubu. The westernmost edge of Shaanxi Province, correct?"
"It's where the main branch of the Tyrant Sword Tribe is located. I've heard they have closed their gates. I haven't seen anyone walk out from under the main signboard, so judging by their energy, it's likely true. They say he's obsessed with the sword."
Jin Myeongjo spoke in a flat tone.
Jung Yeonshin nodded.
"You've worked hard traveling back and forth. Especially since you've taken on such a dangerous task..."
He was referring to directly monitoring the Thirteen Celestial Demons. Without the Blood Preservation Squad's leader, who had refined his yin energy to its peak, even approaching them would be impossible. It was one of the most dangerous reconnaissance missions.
The ability to conceal one's internal energy in a grandmaster's territory, filled with exceptional experts, was on a different level compared to merely hiding energy from lower-ranked individuals.
This was a difficult task even for Jung Yeonshin, who had not yet achieved the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.
"You're speaking out of turn."
Senior Jin Myeongjo's lips curled slightly. It was a faint but cold smile.
"No matter how exceptional your abilities are, the weight of a mission is not something to measure lightly. The tasks of the Radiant Demon Squad's leader and the Blood Preservation Squad's leader are equally important. If you're worried about it, that concern becomes my shame. Remember that."
"..."
Jung Yeonshin raised his eyebrows.
Even the way the senior tilted his chin downward seemed meaningful.
Jung Yeonshin's eyes widened slightly. Among the masters of Wonpyeong's First Sword Hall, there was no senior like this. He felt deeply moved.
He displayed words and actions that both fulfilled his responsibilities and uplifted his juniors. His dignified conduct was impressive.
Jung Yeonshin silently vowed to emulate him and opened his lips.
"There haven't been any major developments on my end either. I struck a base of the regional unorthodox faction, but there was no immediate retaliation. They were much more cautious than the typical thugs of the dark path. They proposed settling it in three days, which seemed very prudent."
Jung Yeonshin finished his report calmly.
It was a meeting to exchange the current status of both sides. The spiritual items bestowed by the imperial family were constantly traveling between the Blood Preservation Squad, the Radiant Demon Squad, and the main base of Desolate Fortress.
It was better for the squad leaders, who excelled in movement techniques, to meet in person.
"Prudent? Well, they should be if they have eyes."
Jin Myeongjo remarked.
"Sorry?"
"Never mind."
The Blood Preservation Squad's leader's true intentions remained elusive. His blood might as well be made of iron and steel.
'He sometimes says incomprehensible things,'
Jung Yeonshin thought, dismissing the thought.
"The Demonic Faction strongholds in Xi'an were as the main base reported, Sublime Land Sect, White Sun Sect, Absolute Severance Pavilion, Great Spirit Thunder Sect, Sword Demon Sect, Heaven's End Sword Sect, Radiant Moon Clan..."
Jung Yeonshin shared details of the situation in Shaanxi Province with Jin Myeongjo. They communicated efficiently, only highlighting the key points. The world moved slowly, and there weren't many sources of information.
The footspeed of martial arts masters was the fastest means of exchanging information, second only to spiritual beasts.
For this mission, Jung Yeonshin had sprinted from Huguang Province for ten days and struck directly at the core.
He had known from the beginning that the Sublime Land Sect was under Yeoryeong's domain. Among the Thirteen Celestial Demons, Yeoryeong Sect was renowned for its intelligence and cunning.
If one wanted to find out Jung Hye-ah's whereabouts, starting here would be the most efficient route.
By his authority as squad leader, he prioritized this mission.
The original mission had been temporarily postponed. He had secured permission through the Chief Administrator of Desolate Fortress. It wasn't a rare occurrence—after all, the discretionary power of the Seventeenth Squad Leader of the Divine Sword Order was considerable.
Whenever the squad leader deemed something a matter of the main base, the base would consider it briefly before issuing a new mission. That was the nature of the authority granted to the elite grandmasters in black.
The new Radiant Demon Squad's leader was no different.
1. Eliminate the Demonic Faction troubling the people of Xi'an.
2. Execute female expert, who masquerades as the leader of the White Sun Sect.
3. Permit mass slaughter, regardless of identity.
This was the Radiant Demon Squad's leader's mission order. The first line directly connected to Jung Hye-ah's safety. Jung Yeonshin thought,
'If I sever enough heads, something will surely come to light.'
The aura of killing intent emanated from the new Radiant Demon Squad's leader.
The seventeen squad leaders of the Divine Sword Order were masters whose thoughts directly influenced their nature. The energy surrounding them would naturally oppress those nearby.
Thud.
Jin Myeongjo's foot, which had been stepping on the thin ice, slightly wavered. The surrounding water rippled clearly, but his balance remained intact.
Was it due to the extraordinary mastery of his movement technique? Jung Yeonshin was inwardly impressed.
'He must be constantly training in the Movement of Protection Technique.'
'As elegant as the Moon Bow Demon.'
He thought, recalling Wei Ye-ryeong, a blue-rank archery master who had entered the Radiant Demon Squad from the Immortal Spirit Wood Squad.
She, like the noble masters, had a profound bearing that had often inspired Jung Yeonshin. She was likely awaiting orders with the other Radiant Demon Squad seniors at the moment.
"You'll handle this on your own, right?"
Jin Myeongjo asked abruptly.
Seeing Jung Yeonshin's puzzled expression, he added another line.
"The martial world of Xi'an."
"Ah."
"It's a battleground for squad-level experts. The scale is different. If you succeed in this mission, you will undoubtedly enter the ranks of those who speak of the world. Your name will spread throughout the entire northern region of the Central Plains, and you'll only be assigned tasks befitting your reputation. Keep that in mind and succeed."
"...Understood."
"When the Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader moves, I'll notify you immediately. Don't die to some low-level thug."
"Thank you for your well wishes, Senior Jin."
Just as Jung Yeonshin was about to clasp his hands in a salute, Senior Jin Myeongjo shook his head slightly.
Boom!
With an explosive step, he shattered the ice beneath him. It was a leap powered by tremendous internal energy, as if the burst of energy itself served as a springboard.
The black-clad Blood Preservation Squad's leader soared vertically, his movement reminiscent of a bat. His mastery of movement technique was dazzling.
Sunlight scattered in fragments over the splashing water.
'Damn, my skin's going to burn. I can't stand it. I'm out of here,'
Jin Myeongjo thought.
'I'll wish you good luck instead.'
With an indifferent expression, he flicked his sleeves grandly. A fluttering sound followed.
He changed direction midair, as if propelled by the rebound of internal energy. His back turned, Jin Myeongjo gracefully disappeared in an instant, his movement like a bird in flight.
Hwaaaak!
It was nearly divine. This was likely one of the transcendent techniques possessed by the leaders of Desolate Fortress. It was incredibly mysterious, as though it had some divine function.
'So, something like that exists.'
Jung Yeonshin thought, his eyes lighting up.
He was suddenly struck by a wave of inspiration. Senior Jin was indeed different. There was nothing about his character or technique that wasn't worth emulating.
Today was no exception. He now knew exactly what he needed to pursue with his Sight Arts. Everything had become clear.
It was a major achievement.
'Now, with just one trigger, I can become even…'
Stronger.
* * *
The incident involving Gal Do-jin and Young Hero So Yu-ryang in Xi'an had spread far and wide. They had been utterly defeated by the leader of a foreign group.
There had been too many witnesses. None of the bystanders at the inn had been harmed.
The humiliation suffered by the Sublime Land Sect had spread like wildfire.
In the city of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, a major hub, the tension had been palpable recently, but it remained a vast metropolis. There were plenty of places to hide and discuss rumors.
It wasn't limited to just one or two places. Gatherings of unorthodox martial artists whispered excitedly.
"Young Hero So Yu-ryang was taken down in a single move!"
"They say Gal Do-jin couldn't even draw his sword properly?"
"That's an exaggeration. Isn't he the Heroic Sword? I heard he had drawn his sword but had to sheath it back right away."
"They say there were two people responsible, but now there are supposedly two more. Seems like they're a group of refined drifters. Probably wandered in here while looking for food."
"I heard their skills were more than enough to earn them a living..."
"Of course, that goes without saying."
"They're not many in number, but they've given us a rare source of entertainment. It looks like they'll hold out for quite some time."
Inside the inner chambers of a large manor.
Sublime Land Sect's leader Wei Il-hwa sat in a crimson robe, listening to their conversation.
She smirked and crossed her legs.
The chilly sunlight streamed in from all sides. The floating dust particles were vividly clear, and the air was heavy enough to be seen by the eye.
To those trembling before Wei Il-hwa, the atmosphere must have felt even more suffocating.
"Could they be on par with the Sublime Land Sect's leader...?"
"Don't be ridiculous... You underestimate the Demon Scattering Sword... At most, they might embarrass her a little..."
The sunlight streaming through the window lit the mouths of over a dozen people. Its touch felt like a scorching texture.
The commoners and drifters, about to be captured, continuously muttered the words they had blurted out in desperation. On their knees before the Sublime Land Sect's leader, their faces were filled with extreme terror.
Wei Il-hwa's lips curled upward.
"Go on, keep talking."
She savored the faces and voices of those who had been dragged in. Her mind, steeped in the ways of psychological manipulation, was sweetly intoxicated.
Even opium couldn't compare. It was like dissolving sugarcane syrup directly in her brain.
This was her peculiar habit, tormenting people to death. Among the various amusements enjoyed by Demonic Faction leaders, hers was considered relatively mild.
For instance, White Sun Sect's leader Jang Gi-il had once slowly decapitated ten commoners in front of the Tyrant Sword Tribe's Ghost Spirit Sword.
'In comparison, I'm quite merciful.'
Wei Il-hwa thought as she opened her mouth.
"The reputation of Sublime Land Sect has taken a major hit."
"..."
Silence spread instantly. The disciples standing beyond the commoners held their breath.
The matter caused by the so-called "leader".
Respect for the Demonic Faction was derived from fear of their conduct and strength, but this incident had thrown all of that into a cesspool.
Though sudden battles often broke out in the martial world, this was significant enough to be considered a major event. If they failed to resolve it, it would be difficult to maintain their status as a rising noble faction.
A joint attack might be a better option. In the world of unorthodox martial artists, influence was as potent as force.
"Send this letter three days later to that so-called leader... And send a separate message to White Sun Sect's leader Jang Gi-il, that traitor from Zhongnan Sect. Inform him that I am considering invoking the authority of Shaanxi's Number One Demon. Tell him he might need to contact the Tyrant Sword Tribe's Ghost Spirit Sword and tell everyone to hide their heads first."
Wei Il-hwa was thorough, responding in the classic unorthodox way. She devised a scheme to dismantle the powerful outsider who had entered Xi'an and use him as fertilizer for their sect.
"A swordsman who wields a single blade to perfection isn't the only kind of master. Someone who can mobilize a thousand blades is also a grandmaster. Just like me."
Wei Il-hwa left various orders for her subordinates.
Then, she concealed herself.
Every influential figure had their own hidden retreat. Sublime Land Sect's leader was no exception, there was an ancestral hideout built harmoniously in the mountains.
She temporarily withdrew. She had no confidence in surviving if an unknown grandmaster barged in.
There was no need to be stubborn either. The unorthodox sect had its own way of doing things. Crushing the enemy using their own methods was enough.
Swish.
Her fingertips gently scratched the armrest.
How many wandering swordsmen as skilled as the Sword Demons could there possibly be in the world? They usually died before they could achieve greatness. Most of the time, that was the case.
"This isn't the first time something like this has happened."
Her laughter-filled murmur was swallowed by the chirping of a mountain bird.
* * *
Three days later.
Disguised as a merchant, Zhuge Hyeon stepped into Xi'an and immediately sensed it, the city itself seemed to be shifting.
Something was off.
The merchants were folding up their stalls. The peddlers who had been shouting noisily on the main roads had disappeared.
No one was emerging from the shops and inns.
On one corner of the alley, two posters were plastered on a wall.
[The group of drifters occupying Wandering Clouds shall face the judgment of our brothers at noon, under the Great Moon Gorge. Those who follow righteousness have united in will. If you have any sense of shame, it would be better to leave now. We have resolved to expel the foreign brutes with severity. The mighty swordplay of Xi'an will be aimed at you.
―Sublime Land Sect's leader, Demon Scattering Sword Wei Il-hwa]
[Damn it.
―Radiant Arts Leader's Deputy, Jin Hyung]
Below the posters, pine needles blown down from a nearby tree were scattered aimlessly.
Already dry and yellow, they looked lifeless. A low, chilly wind blew through.
The once-bustling city had fallen silent, united in fear.
"What the..."
The scholarly, incredibly handsome Zhuge Hyeon adjusted his sleeves.
He was the Fan Dragon, Zhuge Hyeon.
"Back when the Zhongnan Sect was here, this place was so lively."
"You shouldn't mention that name so casually, sir. Xi'an is now known as a den of demons..."
The man walking alongside Zhuge Hyeon spoke. He, too, was dressed as a merchant, with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his yellow cotton robe.
As a member of the Zhuge Clan's Wise Heaven Squad, he was adept at hiding his aura.
The Zhuge heir himself had personally ventured here. His appearance had been further refined through the bone-shrinking technique.
The Zhuge Clan's martial lineage was rich with such mysterious techniques.
"All sorts of unorthodox factions are on the move, trying to capture a single drifter who is believed to be a grandmaster."
"Thanks to that, there are plenty of opportunities for covert infiltration. It's become easier to gather information. It's like a typhoon has formed around a single inn."
"What's the name of that place?"
"It's called Wandering Clouds Inn."
The Hanzhong Murim Alliance, like the Zhongnan Sect, had established a base in Xi'an. They had no choice but to investigate after hearing the news of trouble.
They had also caught wind of the drifters who had humiliated the Sublime Land Sect.
"It's worth taking a look. To anticipate future events, we need to understand their level of strength."
"We're almost there. They say not even an ant can get close now."
At that moment—
"I'll pay double."
"Please, I beg your forgiveness..."
"No, I'm saying just sell it. I'll give you silver, alright?"
"I'm so sorry, I truly am..."
It was in the middle of a nearly deserted street. Despite it being winter, a merchant in a shabby yellow robe was having a dispute with someone.
He was in front of a stall displaying dried grains. Perhaps he hadn't closed shop because he couldn't afford to.
The merchant seemed reluctant to deal with the man standing before him, who was leaning on one leg like a thug. He was clearly afraid of the unorthodox martial artist.
Zhuge Hyeon's eyebrows furrowed.
"What's that guy doing here?"
"That's Lazy Flame..."
Zhuge Hyeon's subordinate fell silent and stared ahead.
Hwangbo Clan's Lazy Flame Dragon was crouching in front of the stall. He looked every bit the part of a rogue from the unorthodox world.
Even the way he chewed on nothing, as if he had opium in his mouth, was typical.
"Did someone order them not to sell to us? Who? Sublime Land Sect's bastards? I didn't expect Xi'an's local thugs to be this bad. The moral principles of the martial world have gone down the drain."
"Sir, causing trouble like this won't..."
"I've got a kid who's still growing. His arms and legs are worth a fortune. If they don't grow properly, will you take responsibility? I'm offering you silver, and you still refuse? The world's gone mad."
The merchant's face turned pale. He looked ready to burst into tears.
Zhuge Hyeon walked over to them.
"What's with the commotion in broad daylight?"
"If you don't know, stay out of—uh?"
Lazy Flame Dragon turned his head slightly and saw Zhuge Hyeon. His eyebrows raised in surprise. The Azure Qilin, Fan Dragon, and Lazy Flame Dragon were all prodigies among the noble clans.
They had shared friendly ties under the leadership of Namgoong Se-jin, the Azure Qilin.
Despite Zhuge Hyeon's disguise, Lazy Flame Dragon immediately recognized him.
"What a surprise."
Lazy Flame Dragon chuckled.
"Sir! Get down!"
The merchant suddenly yelled out.
As if by habit, he glanced up at the sky, his hand clutching his neck.
Wooooooong—
A loud hum echoed across the sky, near the clouds. Both Lazy Flame Dragon and Zhuge Hyeon's eyes widened as they looked up.
Far off in the sky.
A lone, elderly woman rode on a sword.
She had sharp, blade-like ears and was a one-armed swordswoman. Though she was barely a dot in the distance, her presence was overwhelming.
She soared straight across the vast plains. The trailing ends of her sword energy stretched behind her like blue threads, fluttering alongside her empty sleeve.
The mystical ripples constantly radiating from her indicated that she was using some form of technique to recreate the legendary Sword Flight.
She didn't even glance down. She looked like an immortal who had no interest in the mundane world. That's how she appeared on the surface.
Zhuge Hyeon murmured.
"Sword Flight, Ghost Spirit Sword...!"
"A grandmaster of the Thirteen Celestial Demons, here in Xi'an's unorthodox faction."
Lazy Flame Dragon, who had been frowning, muttered under his breath.
For a long time, they couldn't move. The merchant stood frozen with them on the desolate street.
Only the sound of the winter wind brushing past the pine needles echoed. It was a dry, whistling noise.
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